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What would Moses drive? This was the title of a session on climate change at the Hazon Food Conference, held December 24 to 27 in Pacific Grove, Calif. Indeed, this is a question for the ages. Or for right now.

…that’s the opening of a post I wrote for Jewcy.com. I was thrilled to write for them, and to share thoughts on the intersection of Judaism and climate change action. Read the whole post at Jewcy.

Now that the eating frenzy has dissipated, you’re probably ready to clamor back on the wagon. In fact, your new year’s resolutions may even mandate it. So here is the first of a few recipes to get you back to eating fruits and vegetables, buying local, and feeling good overall about what you put on the table.

Roasted squash soup with toasted pepitas

This is really more of a flexible formula than a recipe. Use any squash and root vegetables you like, and add or change ingredients as you see fit. Pepitas are simply squash seeds (usually from pumpkins). Here, I explain how to use this part of the squash that you might otherwise toss out to make a crunchy soup garnish. Continue reading →

One thing I realized at the Hazon Food Conference is that I have a lot to learn. I’m particularly behind on food and agriculture policy. Thinking about the nuances of legislation on the table on the local and national level kind of makes my head spin. Then there are regional issues that can inform and compliment each other.

So much going on! But I decided to take a breath and start reading. If you’re in the same position, you can try it, too. Take a breath, look at this happy food picture above, and then dive in.

Here are a few (okay, many) links to get you started. Check ’em out, and feel free to suggest more.

This is Susan Slesinger. Susan has four Jewish environmental bike rides under her Pearl Izumi waistband, the most recent on a tandem bike with partner Marvin Fields. Susan plays and teaches music and does fiber arts. She resides in Seal Beach, Calif. In this moment, she is standing outside of Merrill Hall at Asilomar Conference Grounds near Monterey. Behind her, a bustling shuk (market) selling cookbooks, local honey, kosher muffins, blown glass, and organic clothing is closing out the Hazon Food Conference. Continue reading →

On December 24, I will say goodbye to the contents of my one-person refrigerator and head to a table for more than 600. Yes, I’m off to the Hazon Food Conference in Pacific Grove, CA. According to the Twitter buzz, the conference promises to draw the largest gathering of the New Jewish Food Movement ever!

Not that we will all sit down and nod our heads together. Indeed, as the debate about meat at the conference shows, you can expect a few disagreements. I look forward to observing and perhaps taking part in some of these discussions (I already jumped into the meat comment combat — in defense of the stuff, believe it or not!).

If you’re curious what this is all about, check out the website and the schedule. Then try not to salivate too much!

I look forward to writing about this experience and guiding you to other accounts in word and image.

I did a roundup of year-round farmers markets back in February, but this one is new and expanded! Check it out. (This is cross-posted from my Examiner.com site.)

Good news: Although several area farmers markets have closed for the season, plenty stay open year-round. Here is a list of markets in and around D.C. that keep selling through the winter. Most of these feature exclusively local farmers and food artisans who use sustainable practices. Feel free to comment if you know of others!